FrostCal

When to Plant Eggplant in Ohio

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors May 6 – May 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 22 in Cleveland and as late as May 22 in Girard.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 65–85 days

Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.

Eggplant Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ColumbusFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
ClevelandJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
CincinnatiFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
ToledoFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
AkronFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
DaytonFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9
ParmaFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
CantonFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
YoungstownFeb 20 – Mar 6May 15 – May 22
LorainFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
HamiltonFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
SpringfieldFeb 14 – Feb 28May 9 – May 16
KetteringFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9
ElyriaFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
LakewoodFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
Cuyahoga FallsFeb 19 – Mar 5May 14 – May 21
MiddletownFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
NewarkFeb 18 – Mar 4May 13 – May 20
EuclidJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
MentorFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
MansfieldFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
BeavercreekFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9
DublinFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
Cleveland HeightsJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
StrongsvilleFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
FairfieldFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
FindlayFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
WarrenFeb 27 – Mar 13May 22 – May 29
LancasterFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
Grove CityFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors May 6 – May 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 22 in Cleveland and as late as May 22 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do eggplant take to grow?

Eggplant typically take 65–85 days from planting to harvest. Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.

Other Crops in Ohio

When to plant eggplant in other states

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